Women's Basketball | 2/19/2014 8:09:00 PM

Box Score FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- Chandler Christensen scored a season-high 18 points, and the Methodist women's basketball team ended the game on a 19-8 run to secure a 77-70 victory over N.C. Wesleyan on Wednesday evening at the Riddle Center.
 
A Monet Edwards layup at the 3:47 mark gave the Battling Bishops (11-12, 9-8 USA South) a 62-58 lead, but the Monarchs forced three turnovers and four missed shots over NCWC's next seven possessions in assuming a 69-62 lead with 1:03 to play. Sydney Bryan started the run with a three-point play and finished with five points in all.
 
The Bishops made one final surge, pulling to within three points (71-68) on a Tiffany Bell layup with 36 seconds on the clock. However, the Monarchs made 5-of-6 free throws over the next 19 seconds to push back out to an eight-point advantage (76-68) with 17 seconds to play en route to the win.
 
In the first half, neither team led by more than five points, and there were nine ties and five lead changes. A three-point play by Kenyata Harris gave NCWC a five-point edge (25-20) at the 4:49 mark, but the Monarchs answered with a 7-0 run that culminated in a pair of free throws by Maya Banks and gave MU a 27-25 lead. From there, the Bishops outscored MU, 8-3, to take a 33-30 lead into the break.
 
For the game, Methodist shot 39.7 percent (25-63) from the field and 58.5 percent (24-41) from the charity stripe. NCWC checked in at 37.5 percent (24-64) from the floor and 67.7 percent (21-31) from the free-throw line. Methodist held a 48-43 edge in rebounding  and turned the ball over 22 times to the Bishops' 23.
 
Christensen's season-high came on 9-of-15 shooting, and she added six rebounds and three blocks. Jackie Lyles chipped in 14 points, six boards, five assists and four steals, while Monique Lofton contributed 14 points. Alexis Wallace chimed in with nine points, eight boards and three steals off the bench.
 
For NCWC, Harris and Bell led four players in double figures with 15 points apiece. NeTaih Davis added 12 ponit sand Shanice Goree had 11. Harris added 10 rebounds and six steals, while Bell had three assists and three steals.
 
Methodist returns to the court on Saturday when it hosts No. 15 Ferrum at 2:00 pm.